HOUSTON, Texas - After two weeks off, the Rice Owls men's track and field team is set to participate in the 2014 Conference USA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships this weekend, which get underway Friday, February 28 at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala. The meet concludes on Saturday, March 1. UAB and the CrossPlex are hosting the event for the third consecutive season.

The Owls are led by junior vaulter Chris Pillow and freshman hepathlete Scott Filip, each of whom have the high mark their respective event in C-USA this season. Pillow, who finished second in the indoor conference championships last season, ranks in the top-50 in the nation this season with a mark of 17-1.5 (5.22m).

Junior jumper Justin Gross also enters this weekend with a top-50 mark in the nation, coming in at 43 in the long jump with a distance of 24-4.5. Sophomore Harry Sagel and senior Alex Weinheimer each pose a threat in the 800m. Sagel enters this weekend with the second-best mark (1:51.63) in C-USA in the event while Weinheimer is fourth (1:52.15).

The preliminary events will begin at 9 a.m. CT on Friday with the pentathlon and heptathlon, followed by field events at 1 p.m. Saturday's action starts with the heptathlon 60m hurdles, pole vault and 1,000m run at 10 a.m. The championship field events will begin later that day with the men's weight throw and triple jump and women's high jump at noon. The running events are slated to begin at 2 p.m. The championships will conclude with the final awards presentation set for 5:45 p.m.

The championship will be televised by Fox Sports 1 on a tape delay. However, live results will be posted at the C-USA Championship Central.

Admission prices are as follows: a two-day pass is $20 for adults and $10 for youth (12-17); while a single day ticket $15 per day for adults and $6 for youth (12-17). Admission is FREE for children age 11 and under and for students with valid ID cards who attend a C-USA member institution.